The Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in the United States, on Monday announced the maintenance of a measure put in place in March 2020 by US authorities in the name of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the deportation of all immigrants, even potential asylum seekers.
This provision titled “Title 42” was originally scheduled to end on May 23, but a Louisiana judge blocked the revocation. On November 15, a federal judge in Washington, on the contrary, asked President Joe Biden to end the expulsions provided for by this device. The revocation of “Title 42”, scheduled for Wednesday, was suspended by order of Chief Justice John Roberts.
This public health measure was originally adopted in 1893
Conservative states love this measure, because it’s immediate and doesn’t allow for legal recourse. Furthermore, it does not provide for automatic return to the country of origin. Faced with the desire to revoke this provision, on Monday about twenty Republican states filed an urgent appeal before the Supreme Court asking it to block the federal judge’s decision. America’s highest court has given them satisfaction pending a decision on the case.
“The Title 42 public health order will remain in effect for the time being, and individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally will continue to be deported to Mexico,” the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, pledging to continue preparations for welcome migrants in the best possible way when the measure is lifted.
This public health measure was originally taken in 1893 to protect the United States from the numerous cholera and yellow fever epidemics that were occurring at the time. It has only been very rarely implemented since then.
